File No. 812.48/3398
Special Representative Rodgers to the Secretary of State
Mexico City, July 28, 1916.
Sir: I have the honor to invite the attention of the Department to the fact that, from various sources, I have learned that certain of the Americans who left Mexico City during the strained period of [Page 705] June, 1916, are now alleging that blame should attach to the American representatives in Mexico City for their departure, inasmuch as they gave orders for them to leave and practically compelled them to do so.
As to this I wish, on behalf of Mr. Charles B. Parker and for myself, to enter an emphatic and general denial. In no instance, to my knowledge, was any order issued. In obedience to the instructions of the Department, all Americans to whose attention the matter could be brought were advised to leave the city if they could do so without too great sacrifice of their property and affairs. In the large majority of instances, no such advice was necessary, as these Americans were only too ready to go, and were clamoring for transportation facilities. As a matter of fact, it is my understanding that many of those who were most critical as to the means afforded them for getting away and who chafed at any delay, are now those who are loudest in their denunciation of the Government and of the Government’s representatives.
I repeat, therefore, with the utmost emphasis, that there was no species of compulsion of any character used and that, invariably when any American referred to leaving under orders he was promptly corrected, the statement being made to him that it was simply the advice of the Government, in view of current conditions, which seemed to justify it, and that each individual would have to make up his or her mind as to what policy they would pursue. It is true that in many instances Americans attempted to have me make up their minds for them, but I resolutely refused, and contented myself simply with citing facts, which seemed sufficient.
It is my desire in this to make clear that each and every man and woman who left Mexico City, or other cities of Mexico, under these, conditions, acted as a free agent and under the full knowledge and belief that the circumstances and conditions fully warranted their getting out of Mexico as speedily as possible and under the armed protection of the United States.
For my own part and policy in the matter, I have no apology whatever to offer to anyone, but I make this statement generally for the information of the Government, and essentially in the interest of Mr. Parker, who simply carried out the instructions given to him from the Department of State, and also those which I gave to him from time to time, all having the same general relation to the cause.
I have [etc.]